Industrial Revolution: Social Structure Transformation in England

England's Social Shift Before Industrialization

Before the Industrial Revolution, England was a monarchy with a king and queen at the top of the social structure. They controlled everything in the country and were the wealthiest. That all changed when the monarchy was weakened by a constitution and Parliament. The king's power and wealth were restricted, with someone else making decisions in the country. The nobles of the country were also weakened, losing much of their power.

The Catalyst: James Watt and Mass Production

When James Watt introduced the steam engine, factories could start mass-producing goods, fundamentally changing the social structure forever.

Industrial Revolution Class Hierarchy

During the Industrial Revolution, mass production became a way of life, allowing businesses to grow into huge empires. Before this era, the nobles were at the top of the social structure because they held political power.

The Evolving Class System:

• Elite Class: The wealthiest group.
• Upper Middle Class: These people were somewhat wealthy, had stable jobs that provided a good life for their families, but were not as wealthy as the elite.
• Lower Middle Class: People with low-paying jobs that barely allowed them to get by.
• Lower Class: The poorest people in the country. They would work wherever they could find a job; if they couldn't, they would live on the streets.

Women's Roles and Emerging Rights

In the 1800s, women had few rights, were defined by their household roles, and were economically dependent on men. During the Industrial Revolution, many women, especially from the lower class, needed waged work outside of their homes to help provide for their families or themselves if single.

Working Conditions and Struggle:

The majority of women worked in textile factories, piece-work shops, and coal mines where conditions were unsafe and unsanitary. Some also worked as domestics.

The Fight for Equality:

In the course of the 19th century, women struggled to change their status. They were still expected to live their lives largely homebound, taking care of cooking, cleaning, and child-rearing. However, this struggle led to modern feminism, the movement for women's rights originating during the Enlightenment. During that time, women created propaganda and fought for:

• The right to own property (partially achieved in Great Britain in 1870).
• Access to Universities and occupations dominated by men.
• Suffrage, the right to vote, which women believed was the key to improving their overall position.